Table



G. E.' TEMPLE TABLE Filed Jan. 6, 1930 Dec. l5, 1931.

Patented Dec. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES GEORGE F STONEHAM, MASSACHUSETTS TABLE AApplication filed January 6, 1930. Serial Noll/118,791.

My present invention relates to tables, and more particularly to that type of table which has collapsible or folding legs or supports.

In tables of this type, considerable difliculty has been heretofore experienced in retaining or holding the legs in open position.

4An important object of my present invention, therefore, resides in the provision of means to permit the ready collapsing or openm ing of the legs of such a table, coupled with means to positively lock said legs in their open position, thus preventing inadvertent or accidental collapsing of the table when in use.

l5 Another object of my invention resides in the provision of means to prevent sagging of the table intermediate the supports.

A still further object of the invention resides in the fact that my novel means to prevent sagging of said table is readily adjustable, said adjustments being capable of accomplishment in a short space of time and with but little effort. i

In carrying out my present invention, I

,5 preferably apply the same to tables for use at banquets or other occasions, where it is desired to collapse or fold the tables for stowage in small space after they have servedtheir temporary use. However, it will be appref, ciated that my invention is 'equally applicable to smaller tables, such as bridge tables or in fact to any type of table, bench, support, settee, or any article of this nature adapted to be collapsed and stored away.

In practising my invention, I preferably position, on the under side of the table, intermediate the ends thereof, a pivot, preferably formed as a yoke, and preferably adjustable toward or from the bottom surface of the n table. Pivoted in this yoke are a pair of toggles, one of these toggles extending toward each pair of legs, the legs being preferably arranged `in pairs and v each pair being manipulated as a unit. The toggles each comprise a main link flaring `fromthe pivot point toward the legs, the first link terminating short 4of the legs when in open position, and a separate link being pivoted toeach end of the first link, each of these second links being in turn hinged to a hinge frame on its respective leg. On said hinged frame I pro- V vide means, cooperating with the short links above referred to, to automatically lock said legs in open position, and to prevent collapsng of the toggle links and hence of the legs until a predetermined time, preferably on reversing the position of the table to an upside-down position, when the locking means above referred to will automatically release and permit collapsing of said toggle links and hence of the legs.

Further features and objects of my invention reside in the particular details of construction thereof, and since I believe that said Y invention is novel, I have, therefore, claimed the same broadly in the present application.

The above and other novel features and objects of the invention, details of construction, combinations of parts and advantages, y will be hereinafter more fully pointed out, described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, illustrating a Vpreferred embodiment of my present invention,

Fig. l is a side elevation, partly broken away, of my novel table; p

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of a portion of said table;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the p line 3-3 of Fig. 1 80 Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; y

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating the preferred form of automatic Vlocking device;

Vand

Figy is aI fragmentary perspective View, onan enlarged scale, illustrating a modification of automatic locking means.

Referring now to the drawings, for a particulardescription of the invention, my novel apparatus comprises a table top l, preferablyr having secured to the under side thereof transverse reenforcing strips 2, 3 and 4. To the `under sideof the table, midway of its ends, and secured thereto or to the strip 3, if same is utilized, is a plate or flange 5, held in position by screws 6, this plate having a threaded aperture therethrough, and there being a recess 10 in the strip S or in the table ier of the yoke 7, and pivoted on said pivot are Y a pair of toggles comprising a main link Which consists of a pair of metallic strips 12 and 13, flaring from the pivot point, as clearlyv shown, and being reenforced and united by transverse braces 14. A pair of legs 15 are preferably united by a brace 16. and are hinged to the strip 2 by hinges 17. Aflixed to each ofthe legs 15 is a plate 18, preferably having a housing 19 formed there .on, and pivoted on a pivot pin 2O is a rocker arm 21. normally concealed Within the hous ing, said housing having a cutaway portion 22, to permit digital manipulation of the rocker arm 21. As clearly illustrated in the dravrings, said rocker arm is over-balanced,

the major portion of said arm being to one side of the pivot pin 20. Thus, when the table is in inverted position, the projecting end 23 of the arm 22, which projects through the slot 24 in the plate 18, will be free .of the arm 25 of the short link 26, Which is pivoted at 27 to the plate 18 and at 28 to the link arms 12 and 13.

A flange 29 is provided on each of the plates 18. Thuswhen the legs 15 are opened, and the table is in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, the over-balanced rocker arm 21 will swing vertically and lock the arm 25 of the link 26 between the projecting end 23 of said rocker arm and the'flange 29,`effectually preventing inadvertent collapsing of the toggle or of the legs 15. This feature is clearly il lustrated in Figs. 3 and 5.

Each part 12 and 13 of the main toggle link is provided at its free end Withv a bent corner 30, adapted to spring b v the links 26 When the toggle is in extended position, to further assist in the retaining of said toggles in said extended position The threaded stem 8 may be adjusted to any desired position, to provide the greatest support, through the medium of the toggles, to the center of the table and prevent sagging thereof when under a load.

If desired, in place of the rocker arm 21, I may provide a plate 31 having a flange 32 thereon, and may form the arm 25 of the link 26 With a pawl 33 adapted to engage a cooperating detent in the plate 31 When the toggles and links are in extended or open position, the flange -32 preventing movement of the arm 25 beyond normal open position.

My present novel table is economical to manufacture, simple to open or collapse, pos itive in its locking action, and presents a strong, rugged, and durable structure, the advantages of which Will be instantly appar ent to those skilled in this art.

While I have necessarily described my present invention somewhat in detail, it will. be appreciated that I may vary the size, shape and arrangement of parts Within reasonably Wide limits Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

My invention is further described and defined in the form of claims as follows:

1. A table comprising a top, pairs of legs hinged to said top, a toggle connected to each pair of legs, a vertically adjustable pivot on said top intermediate its ends, said toggles being connected to said pivot, and means to fix said pivot in adjusted position.

2. A table comprising a top, pairs of legs hinged to said top, a toggle connected to each said legs, a yoke attached to the under side of said top, a pivot carried by said yoke, said toggles being mounted on said pivot, means to effect movement of said yoke toward or from said top, and means to hold said yoke in fixed relation to said top at any point of adjustment.

3. A table comprising a top, a pair of legs movable as a unit hinged to said top, a toggle comprising a link pivoted at one end toA said table, a pair of links pivotally attached to said first link, each of said second links being pivotally attached to one of said legsl and means on said leg automatically operable to lock said links against movement When said legs are in opened position.

4. A table comprising a top, a pair of legs movable as a unit hinged to said top, a toggle comprising a link pivoted at one end to said table, a pair of links pivotally attached to said first link, each of said second links being pivotally attached to one of said legs, and means on said leg automatically operable to lock said links against movement When said legs are/in opened position, said locking means being automatically operable to unlock said links when said table is in inverted position` to permit folding of said legs.

5. In a table of the kind described, a leg, a. hinged plate on said leg, a housing on said plate, 'an eccentrically mounted rocker arm in said housing, said housing having a vslot at one end thereof, one end of said rocker arm proj ecting through said slot, a flange on said plate, a link pivoted to said plate, and an arm on said link adapted to be engaged by one side by said flange and on the other side by the projecting end of said rocker arm when said table is in upright position.

6. In a table of the kind described, a leg, a hinged plate on said leg, a housing on said plate, an eccentrically mounted rocker arm in said housing, said housing having a slot at one end thereof, one end of said rocker arm projecting through said slot, a flange on said plate, a link pivoted to said plate,

and an arm on said link adapted to be engaged on one side by said flange and on the other side by the projecting end of said rocker arm when said table is in u right position, said rocker arm being digita 1y operable to disengage said link arm.

7. In a table of the kind described, a leg, v

a hinged plate on said leg, a housing on said plate, an eccentrically mounted rocker arm in said housing, said housing having a slot at one end thereof, one end of said rocker arm projecting through said slot, a flange on said plate, a link pivoted to said plate, and an arm on said link adapted to be engaged on one side by said flange and on the other side by the projecting end of said rocker arm when said table is in upright position, said rocker arm being automatically operable, on inverting said table, to release said link arm.

.In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

GEORGE E. TEMPLE. 

